Semaphorin iOS Downgrade Tool: Step-by-Step Guide for A7, A8, A9 Devices

Semaphorin originated from johndoe123's iOS 7 Tethered Downgrade guide and has evolved into a solution for downgrading A7, A8, A8X, and A9 devices, including iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, and iPhone SE (2016) to versions ranging from iOS 7.0.1 to iOS 9.2.1.

Please be aware that this script deletes everything on your phone, including the main iOS. Backup all your data before using this script, as it will be unrecoverable after.

Key Takeaways

Where to download Semaphorin?

Semaphorin was released as a command line tool. There are two different releases of Semaphorin created by y08wilm and LukeZGD. Download the most recent version of Semaphorin GUI 1.0 from this website. The iOS downgrade tool offers also a command line interface for more advanced users.

Last updated: May 22, 2024
Developer: y08wilm
Version: 1.0
Size: 202 MB

What is Semaphorin?

Semaphorin is a downgrade tool designed to execute on A7 - A9 iDevice running iOS 12.5.7, iOS 11, or iOS 10, downgrade to earlier versions such as iOS 9, iOS 8, or iOS 7. For optimal compatibility with App Store, jailbreaks, system hardware, and other functionalities, it is recommended to downgrade to iOS 7.1.

On iOS 7.0.6, the volume and home buttons may become unresponsive during the downgrade process. Semaphorin is currently only available for macOS, with no support for Windows or Linux systems.

This tethered downgrade utility currently caters to all A7 devices, with future releases set to include support for A8 and A8X devices as well. Semaphorin iOS Downgrade simplifies the process by also jailbreaking iOS during the downgrade, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Additionally, it ensures that sideloading the app store remains functional on iOS 7.

Key Features of Semaphorin iOS: Downgrade and Jailbreak

In forthcoming updates, Semaphorin will extend its support to include iPhone 6/6+, iPhone 6s/6s+, and iPhone 7/7+, along with a broad range of iPad models. This is already a work in progress. At its initial release, the program also provides compatibility with iOS 8 beta 4 on A7 devices. This development is significant for the jailbreaking community as it facilitates jailbreaking through sep-less downgrade and enables sideloading.

The script is tailored for macOS High Sierra, Mojave, and Catalina. While it might work with newer macOS versions, compatibility with such versions hasn't been thoroughly tested. Semaphorin is a seprmvr64, downgrade, and jailbreak utility packed into one software.

Semaphorin Compatibility and Known Issues

Semaphorin currently supports downgrades to different iOS versions based on the device type. For iPhone 5s, it supports iOS 7.0.6 to 10.2.1. For iPad Mini 2, it supports iOS 7.0.3 to 10.2.1. For iPad Air 1, it supports iOS iOS 7.0.1 – 10.2.1. For iPad Mini 2 (China) and iPad Air 1 (China), it supports iOS 7.1 to 10.2.1. This release also supports A8 and A8X; iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s.

The script can technically boot iOS 9.0 to 9.2.1 on A7, A8, and A8X devices. However, a major issue arises: apps don’t show up on the home screen and don’t work because keybags fail to unlock when the Secure Enclave Processor (SEP) is bypassed. Keybags are critical for most system and user apps on iOS 9.

The good news is that keybags do unlock on iOS 9.3 and later, allowing proper app functionality. Booting iOS 9.3 to 10.2 would ensure full support for A8 and A8X devices.

However, the downgrade process to iOS 9.3 to 10.2 encounters sandbox errors caused by seprmvr64, not the script itself. A sandbox patch is needed, but the current Taig patch doesn’t work for these versions.

y08wilm

Semaphorin Developer

Preliminary Linux support has been merged to main for testing purposes. iOS 9 downgrades are supported on Linux for both A8 and A9 devices.

The Semaphorin downgrade tool offers a range of main operation modes, each serving distinct purposes. It allows users to "Download & enter ramdisk," a self-explanatory step, facilitating seamless transitions into ramdisk mode. Another essential function is the option to "Enable serial debugging," which endeavors to establish a connection to SSH over the USB interface of the connected device, enabling streamlined debugging processes.

It provides also the capability to "Don't enter ramdisk or wipe the device, just boot". Moreover, it offers functionalities to safeguard data integrity, such as "Adds the 'protect' flag to /dev/disk0s1s2" and "Removes the 'protect' flag from /dev/disk0s1s2," ensuring data protection.

Additionally, the tool supports comprehensive backup procedures, exemplified by "Backs up the entire contents of your iOS device to disk0.gz," ensuring data security throughout the downgrade process. Furthermore, it addresses specific compatibility issues, such as "Fixes activation on iOS 10.3.3-11.1," ensuring smooth navigation through Setup.app post-downgrade.

Finally, for A11 devices like the iPhone X, the tool offers crucial support by "Fixing booting into the main OS," ensuring seamless functionality and performance post-downgrade.

How to Use Semaphorin to Downgrade iOS (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Semaphorin initially debuted as an application featuring a graphical interface. However, it's also possible to execute this tethered downgrade script directly from a terminal. Follow these steps to download Semaphorin and initiate the downgrade process seamlessly.

Step 1. Connect your iDevice to macOS via a USB cable.

Step 2. Enter DFU mode on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 3. Open the Terminal app.

Step 4. Clone Semaphorin repository to local disk.

git clone --recursive https://github.com/y08wilm/Semaphorin

Step 5. Navigate into the 'Semaphorin' folder.

cd Semaphorin

Step 6. Allow the script to be executed on your Mac.

chmod +x ./semaphorin.sh

Step 7. Install Xcode Command Line Tools on your macOS.

xcode-select install

Step 8. Run the semaphorin.sh script and follow the instructions.

sudo ./semaphorin.sh --restore <the version you are trying to downgrade to>

Available Commands

Usage: $0 [VERSION...] [OPTION...]

Examples:
    $0 7.1.2 --restore
    $0 7.1.2 --boot

Main operation mode:
    --help                     Print this help
    --ramdisk                  Download & enter ramdisk
    --dump-blobs               Self explanatory
    --serial                   Enable serial debugging
    --ssh                      Tries to connect to ssh over usb interface to the connected device
    --restore                  Wipe device and downgrade ios
    --dump-nand                Backs up the entire contents of your iOS device to disk0.gz
    --NoMoreSIGABRT            Adds the "protect" flag to /dev/disk0s1s2
    --disable-NoMoreSIGABRT    Removes the "protect" flag from /dev/disk0s1s2
    --restore-nand             Copies the contents of disk0.gz to /dev/disk0 of the iOS device
    --restore-mnt1             Copies the contents of disk0s1s1.gz to /dev/disk0s1s1 of the iOS device
    --restore-mnt2             Copies the contents of disk0s1s2.gz to /dev/disk0s1s2 of the iOS device
    --boot                     Don't enter ramdisk or wipe device, just boot
    --clean                    Delete all the created boot files for your device
    --fix-activation           Fixes activation on iOS 10.3.3-11.1 so you can navigate through Setup.app
    --fix-auto-boot            Fixes booting into the main OS on A11 devices such as the iPhone X

FAQ

Written by

Kuba Pawlak

Kuba has over 20 years of experience in journalism, focusing on jailbreak since 2012. He has interviewed professionals from various companies. Besides journalism, Kuba specializes in video editing and drone flying. He studied IT at university before his writing career.

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